Purpose: This study was conducted to compare cone beam CT and TMJ digital tracing to record the Bennett angle and their effect on the occlusion of complete denture.
Material and methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were selected, with an average age of 55 years. Each patient received a complete denture and artificial teeth were be setting according to the bilateral balanced occlusion concept. then the Bennett's angle was measured while the patient was in the lateral right and left movement by TMJ digital tracing (ARCUS digma II) and cone beam CT. These values of bennet angles from different methods were applied to the semi-adjustable articulator to evaluate the balanced occlusion. Results: The values of Bennett angle on right and left sides which recorded by TMJ digital tracing (ARCUS digma II) and cone beam CT showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) using paired t-test (at 95% confidence interval). TMJ digital tracing method records the mandibular movement in real time of patient movement by the electronic sensors also the cone beam CT has 3D image in real-time, but it does not make any difference in the clinical performance of the balanced occlusion of complete denture. Bennett's angle was approximately similar to the two methods. Conclusion: Within the limitation in this study, there is no significant difference between TMJ digital tracing (ARCUS digmaII) and cone beam CT in the recording of bennet angle, and there is no significant difference between their effect on balanced occlusion